New guy in Kentucky

[Heckyl]

Hello all,
I have owned all brands of trucks over the years, but I have been a Dodge lover since I owned the first power wagon in 2005. Since then I own a 2006 Dodge 2500 and a 2006 Dodge 3500 both with the 5.9 Cummins and manual trannys. I love the trucks but I was hoping to buy a new 2020 Ram hd. I am disappointed to find out that Ram is only giving the new trucks a new face and interior. That is better than nothing but I was under the impression that the 2020s would be a complete redesign. So now I think I’m going to pull the trigger on a new 2019 Ram 1500. My 2500 and 3500 both are lifted a little with 35s that and mud grips ( helps slopping around the farm in the mud.... got lots of it lately ). But the  thought of driving a truck that I don’t have to use 2 hands on the steering wheel on country 
 roads, and actually be able to hear the radio when I am driving would be nice..... thus the fantasy of driving a 2019 Ram 1500 that is stock. I think I will keep the 5.9s with manual trannys because soon  they will be classics. I think I’m going to do it, what do y’all think.

 

[Admin]

Welcome! I would wait until after the debut to decide as there is more going on than just a new front end and interior. That said the 2019 1500s are amazing trucks and you can't go won't there if that's what you decide to do.

 

[Nate4x4]

Welcome to the RAMily!

You can never go wrong in buying a Ram truck, but for you, I think it's truly a matter on what is going to be of more use and satisfactory to you.

As stated, you live on a farm and have in the past purchased multiple HD truck's. The 2019 is indeed suitable for farm life, but when it comes to real heavy duty hauling and extreme laborious expeditions, it is no match for the HD's in handling and performance, and thus, your capacity in work will be highly compromised.

What matters most to you? HD work performance or redesigned comfort and luxury?

 

[DevilDodge]

Agree with both here. The 2019 1500 is capable and comfortable...but at alot of compromise to a 2500.

My thoughts are if you tow heavy or haul heavy. You have to have a 2500. If you tow within the 1500 specs but don't haul while towing, it will work.

I haul while towing, so I have been looking at 3500 trucks...but a 2500 is still capable enough in the lower trims

And you mention waiting for 2020 Ram HD...the one debuting is a 2019...so you would be waiting longer for the 2020 and the actual redesign is 2021...

The 2019 HD is going to have way more than a looks change. 8 speed Transmissions, eLockers, surround veiw...all most likely coming for 2019.

Good luck with your decision.

Welcome and thanks for joining us

 

[Heckyl]

Welcome to the RAMily!

You can never go wrong in buying a Ram truck, but for you, I think it's truly a matter on what is going to be of more use and satisfactory to you.

As stated, you live on a farm and have in the past purchased multiple HD truck's. The 2019 is indeed suitable for farm life, but when it comes to real heavy duty hauling and extreme laborious expeditions, it is no match for the HD's in handling and performance,  and thus, your capacity in work will be highly compromised.

What matters most to you? HD work performance or redesigned comfort and luxury?

---

Well, you have summed up what have been going thru my brain for a while. I am going to keep the 3500 to do the occasional heavy hauling (escavator , skid steer), but I also do a lot of interstate driving that I would love to do in the 1500. So.... I think I’m going to buy the 2019 Ram 1500. The 1500 would be capable to do a lot of the farm work and I will use it some of that, but who wants to scratch and dent up a new truck. My 06 3500 is scratched and dented up, so it is kinda nice to be able to use the truck to work and hunt in.

 

[Nate4x4]

---

Well, you have summed up what have been going thru my brain for a while. I am going to keep the 3500 to do the occasional heavy hauling (escavator , skid steer), but I also do a lot of interstate driving that I would love to do in the 1500. So.... I think I’m going to buy the 2019 Ram 1500. The 1500 would be capable to do a lot of the farm work and I will use it some of that, but who wants to scratch and dent up a new truck. My 06 3500 is scratched and dented up, so it is kinda nice to be able to use the truck to work and hunt in.

---

Good thinking. The 2019 Ram is truly a well-designed workhorse that will provide comfort and luxury along with outstanding performance. I hope you are more than satisfied with your decision. Best wishes!

 

[Heckyl]

Ok.... I have decided to order a 2019 Ram 3500 SRW 4x4. Y’all were right, the new HD’s are more than a refreshed 4th Gen. I think I’m going with a 3500 SRW instead of a 2500 because they will be about the same price (both with Cummins) not the high output on the 3500. The 3500 will give me more payload. The off-road package that you can get on the 2500 is not worth it to me.... when I can get the same stuff on 3500 minus the hill Descent Control, shocks and sticker. I think I’m going with the Laramie over all the rest... I like the grill and lights . I do like the limited but not a fan of the dark interiors and 22 inch rims... I’m old school and like 18 inch wheels with some tires with a little meat on them.

 

[DevilDodge]

Awesome. The 2018 2500 ORP iswhat had me decided on it, but without the locker I think I will pass.

I am getting the 6.4l Hemi and have considered the 3500...but the 2500 is just enough. Going to take both for a ride though, with the air suspension.

Hopefully some local lots will get one of each.

Gonna put me a little further into the year for purchase though.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. The Laramie is throwing me a curveballs right now. It is the best looking one overall

Can not wait to hear more.

 

[Heckyl]

Yea I am surprised to see no locker on the OFG. My thoughts on the elocker.... would be nice for low speed muddy, ice and snow combined with hills ( we got em in kentucky ). But I have found with my limited slip/anti spin a have currently on my 2500 and 3500 that if you get after it in the mud or snow that both rears spin which is what you want anyway. An advantage for the anti spin is that is doesn’t have a speed limit (maybe 10 mph on elocker - not sure) and don’t have to turn on and off . I think the biggest advantage of anti slip over elocker is when you need 4WD on snow covered roads and highways. There have been many times where I have needed and used 4WD while traveling up to 45 MPH here in KY. I have had the Hemi in a 2500 and loved the engine, not so much the 4:10 rear end (power wagon) which didn’t like cruising on the interstate. Back to the elocker thoughts... I don’t think I would get an elocker over the anti spin now (even if I had a choice, which I don’t think I will).

 

[redriderbob]

Welcome.